Pressing device for garage door controller

ABSTRACT

A pressing device includes a pressing device switch configured to cover a garage door switch. The garage door switch operates a garage door opener connected to the garage door switch. An actuator is coupled to the pressing device switch. An indicator outputs a combination of an audio and video signal. The pressing device receives a garage door control command and generates a warning signal to the indicator. The indicator outputs the combination of the audio and video signal in response to receiving the warning signal, and generates a trigger signal to the actuator. The actuator physically presses on the garage door switch in response to receiving the trigger signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a device for pressing a garagedoor wall controller, and, in a specific example embodiment, a devicefor generating an audio and visual signal and remotely activating agarage door.

BACKGROUND

Garage door openers typically include a wall-mounted switch to triggeropening or closing of a garage door. However, some wall-mounted switchesutilize a proprietary communication protocol to only communicate withcompatible devices. Therefore, a wall-mounted switch from a specificmanufacturer may not be able to operate with home control devices fromother manufacturers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an architecture of a garage door wallcontroller pressing device in operation with a garage door system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of apressing device.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of thepressing device.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of aremote activation of the pressing device.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of amanual activation of the pressing device.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment ofthe pressing device.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment of aremote activation of the pressing device.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment of amanual activation of the pressing device.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a methodfor remotely operating the pressing device.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a methodfor manually operating the pressing device.

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions may beexecuted to cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The present disclosure describes an electro-mechanical device (alsoreferred to as a pressing device) that provides a UL 985-compliant audioand visual warning prior to articulating an arm or a plunger for anadjustable throw and duration to activate a garage door wall-mountedswitch. In one example embodiment, the pressing device includes an audiodevice (e.g., piezo sounder), a visual device (e.g., LED light), anactuator (e.g., a mechanical arm or a plunger), and an activationbutton.

The pressing device may be configured to operate in conjunction with astandard garage door motor and the corresponding wall-mounted pushbutton. Upon receipt of a request by a user (e.g., pressing theactivation button), the pressing device activates the piezo sounder andthe LED to provide the UL 985 five-second (minimum) warning prior to anyother action.

Once the warnings are completed, the pressing device articulates down todepress the garage door wall-mounted button for one second, then returnsto the rest position. Both the depth and duration of the articulationcan be adjustable.

The pressing device can be used in other situations where an audio andvisual warning is desired prior to activation of a mechanical device oraction. For example, the pressing device can be used to generate awarning prior to pressing another button to lock or unlock a door ordispense a material.

One benefit of the presently described pressing device is the ability tobe universally applied to any brand or type of garage door switch.Current solutions are limited in that they are not fully compatible withall garage door openers. Many garage door systems utilize a proprietaryinterface to operate the respective garage door. The presently describedpressing device offers an adjustable mechanical actuator with adjustablemovement and duration that enables the pressing device to be compatiblewith all garage door openers that utilize a push button trigger.

In various embodiments, a pressing device includes a pressing deviceswitch configured to cover a garage door switch. The garage door switchoperates a garage door opener connected to the garage door switch. Anactuator is coupled to the pressing device switch. An indicator outputsa combination of an audio and video signal. The pressing device receivesa garage door control command and generates a warning signal to theindicator. The indicator outputs the combination of audio and videosignal in response to receiving the warning signal, and generates atrigger signal to the actuator. The actuator physically presses on thegarage door switch in response to receiving the trigger signal.

In one example embodiment, the trigger signal is generated after apreset time has elapsed after generating the warning signal.

In one example embodiment, the pressing device includes a lever coupledto the actuator with the pressing device switch. The lever is supportedby a fulcrum. A first end of the lever is adjacent to the actuator, anda second end is adjacent to the pressing device switch. The first end isopposite to the second end.

In one example embodiment, the first end of the lever is configured topress on the garage door switch in response to the actuator pushingagainst the second end of the lever.

In another example embodiment, the first end of the lever is configuredto press on the garage door switch in response to the pressing deviceswitch being pushed against the first end of the lever.

In another example embodiment, the actuator is disposed between thepressing device switch and the garage door switch.

In another example embodiment, the pressing device detects an operationon the pressing device switch, and generates the trigger signal to theactuator in response to detecting the operation on the pressing deviceswitch.

In another example embodiment, the pressing device further comprises atransceiver configured to communicate with a home control system. Thehome control system is not configured to communicate directly with thegarage door opener. The pressing device transparently interfaces fromthe home control system with the garage door opener.

In another example embodiment, the pressing device receives a movementinput and duration input, adjusts a distance of a movement of an arm ofthe actuator, the distance corresponding to the movement input, andadjusts a duration of a pressing of the arm of the actuator. Theduration corresponds to the duration input.

In another example embodiment, the pressing device detects a model ofthe garage door switch, accesses a configuration setting correspondingto the model of the garage door switch, and adjusts a distance of amovement of an arm of the actuator and a duration of a pressing of thearm of the actuator based on the configuration setting.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an architecture 100 of a garage doorwall controller pressing device in operation with a garage door system.A garage door opener 104 operates a garage door 102 to open or close thegarage door 102 via mechanical means (e.g., belt or chain drive). Thegarage door opener 104 is connected to a wall-mounted switch 106. A userpresses on the wall-mounted switch 106 to direct the garage door opener104 to close or open the garage door 102.

A pressing device 108 is mounted on the wall-mounted switch 106 andmechanically presses and depresses the wall-mounted switch 106. Thepressing device 108 communicates with a home control system 110. Thehome control system 110 can remotely control the pressing device 108 toactivate the wall-mounted switch 106. For example, the home controlsystem 110 transmits a wireless control signal to the pressing device108. In one example embodiment, the home control system 110 includes acomputing system capable of communicating with a computer network (e.g.,Internet 112) to a home control server 114. The home control server 114can be configured to remotely control the home control system 110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of apressing device. The pressing device 108 includes a manual activationbutton 202, an actuator 204, a transceiver 206, an audio/visualindicator 208, and a processor 210. The manual activation button 202includes, for example, a physical switch that a user can press on toactivate the garage door opener 104.

The actuator 204 includes a mechanical arm or plunging element thatpushes against the wall-mounted switch 106. The actuator 204 can operatein response to a combination of receiving a control signal from the homecontrol system 110 or a pressing of the manual activation button 202.For example, pressing the manual activation button 202 causes a controlsignal to trigger the actuator 204. In another example, the home controlsystem 110 wireless sends a control signal to the actuator 204 toremotely trigger the actuator 204.

The transceiver 206 communicates with the home control system 110. Thetransceiver 206 includes a wired or wireless communication means (e.g.,WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee). For example, the transceiver 206 receives thecontrol signal and configuration settings from the home control system110. In another example, the transceiver 206 sends a status signal tothe home control system 110 to provide a status of the actuator 204.

The audio/visual indicator 208 includes an audio generating device suchas a buzzer or a speaker and a visual signal generating device such asan LED. The audio/visual indicator 208 can be used to alert the user ofthe pressing device 108 that a control signal to open or close thegarage door 102 has been received at the pressing device 108. In anotherexample embodiment, the audio/visual indicator 208 generates anaudio/visual signal upon detecting that the manual activation button 202has been depressed. The audio/visual signal provides notification to theuser that the garage door opener 104 has been triggered and that thegarage door 102 is about to open or close within a preset duration(e.g., 10 seconds) after the audio/visual signal is generated.

The processor 210 includes a garage door control application 212configured to detect that the manual activation button 202 has beendepressed or that a garage door control command (from the home controlsystem 110 or from another device registered with the pressing device108) has been received. The garage door control application 212generates a control signal to the actuator 204 in response to detectingthat the manual activation button 202 has been depressed or that thegarage door control command has been received. In one exampleembodiment, the garage door control application 212 sends a notificationcontrol signal to the audio/visual indicator 208 to generate anaudio/visual signal to alert the user of the imminent opening or closureof the garage door 102. In one example embodiment, the garage doorcontrol application 212 delays sending the control signal to theactuator 204 for a preset time duration (e.g., 10 seconds) after sendingthe notification control signal to the audio/visual indicator 208.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of thepressing device 108. The pressing device 108 includes a cover 302 thatis configured to be mounted on the wall-mounted switch 106 (e.g.,existing garage door button). The manual activation button 202 protrudesfrom the cover 302. The manual activation button 202 sits on a first endof a lever 306 supported by a fulcrum 304. A second end of the lever 306sits on the actuator 204 that is connected to a controller 308. In oneexample embodiment, the controller 308 includes the transceiver 206, theprocessor 210, and the audio/visual indicator 208.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of aremote activation of the pressing device 108. The garage door controlapplication 212 sends a control signal to trigger the actuator 204. Theactuator 204 mechanically pushes against the second end of the lever 306and causes the first end of the lever 306 to push against thewall-mounted switch 106.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of amanual activation of the pressing device 108. A user manually pushesagainst the manual activation button 202, causing the manual activationbutton 202 to push the first end of the lever 306 to press against thewall-mounted switch 106.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment ofthe pressing device 108. The pressing device 108 includes the cover 302that is configured to be mounted on the wall-mounted switch 106 (e.g.,existing garage door button). The manual activation button 202 protrudesfrom the cover 302. The manual activation button 202 sits on top of theactuator 204 or a trigger sensor (not shown) for the actuator 204.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment of aremote activation of the pressing device 108. The garage door controlapplication 212 sends a control signal to trigger the actuator 204. Theactuator 204 mechanically pushes against the wall-mounted switch 106.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating another example embodiment of amanual activation of the pressing device 108. A user manually pushesagainst the manual activation button 202, causing the manual activationbutton 202 to push against the actuator 204 or against the triggersensor of the actuator 204. The actuator 204 is either manually pushedagainst the wall-mounted switch 106 or electrically triggered by thetrigger sensor to be pushed against the wall-mounted switch 106.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a methodfor remotely operating the pressing device 108. At operation 502, thepressing device 108 receives a garage control command from the homecontrol system 110. At operation 504, the pressing device 108 generatesan audio/visual warning signal after receiving the garage controlcommand. At operation 506, the pressing device 108 triggers the actuator204 to push the wall-mounted switch 106 after a preset time duration haselapsed from the time the audio/visual warning signal is generated.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a methodfor manually operating the pressing device 108. At operation 602, thepressing device 108 detects that the manual activation button 202 hasbeen pressed. At operation 604, the pressing device 108 generates anaudio/visual warning signal after detecting that the manual activationbutton 202 has been pressed. At operation 606, the pressing device 108triggers the actuator 204 to push the wall-mounted switch 106 after atime duration has elapsed from the time the audio/visual warning signalis generated.

Modules, Components and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or ina transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module is atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, oneor more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client, or server computersystem) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., aprocessor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g.,an application or application portion) as a hardware module thatoperates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses that connect the hardware modules). In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of amethod may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of theoperations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not onlyresiding within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, or a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of theoperations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via acommunication network such as the Internet 112 and via one or moreappropriate interfaces (e.g., application programming interfaces(APIs)).

Electronic Apparatus and System

Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,in computer hardware, firmware, or software, or in combinations of them.Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product,e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier,e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor,a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a standalone program or as a module, subroutine,or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network such as the Internet 112.

In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Methodoperations can also be performed by, and apparatus of exampleembodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry(e.g., a FPGA or an ASIC).

A computing system can include clients and servers. A client and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network such as the Internet 112. The relationship ofclient and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on therespective computers and having a client-server relationship to eachother. In embodiments deploying a programmable computing system, it willbe appreciated that both hardware and software architectures meritconsideration. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice ofwhether to implement certain functionality in permanently configuredhardware (e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., acombination of software and a programmable processor), or in acombination of permanently and temporarily configured hardware may be adesign choice. Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and softwarearchitectures that may be deployed, in various example embodiments.

Example Machine Architecture

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of a computersystem 700 within which instructions 724 for causing the machine toperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may beexecuted. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), acellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch,a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions724 (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by thatmachine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term“machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines thatindividually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions724 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 700 includes a processor 702 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), orboth), a main memory 704, and a static memory 706, which communicatewith each other via a bus 708. The computer system 700 may furtherinclude a video display unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 700 also includes analphanumeric input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI)navigation (or cursor control) device 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk driveunit 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., a speaker), and anetwork interface device 720.

Machine-Readable Medium

The disk drive unit 716 includes a computer-readable medium 722 on whichis stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions 724(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 724 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory704 and/or within the processor 702 during execution thereof by thecomputer system 700, the main memory 704 and the processor 702 alsoconstituting computer-readable media 722. The instructions 724 may alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the static memory 706.

While the computer-readable medium 722 is shown, in an exampleembodiment, to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium”may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storethe one or more instructions 724 or data structures. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any tangiblemedium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying theinstructions 724 for execution by the machine and that cause the machineto perform any one or more of the methodologies of the presentembodiments, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying datastructures utilized by or associated with such instructions 724. Theterm “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magneticmedia. Specific examples of computer-readable media 722 includenon-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flashmemory devices); magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and compact disc-read-onlymemory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disc (or digital video disc)read-only memory (DVD-ROM) disks.

Transmission Medium

The instructions 724 may further be transmitted or received over acommunication network 726 (e.g., the Internet 112) using a transmissionmedium. The instructions 724 may be transmitted using the networkinterface device 720 and any one of a number of well-known transferprotocols (e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Examples ofcommunication networks 726 include a local-area network (LAN), awide-area network (WAN), the Internet, mobile telephone networks, plainold telephone service (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g.,Wi-Fi and WiMAX networks). The term “transmission medium” shall be takento include any intangible medium capable of storing, encoding, orcarrying the instructions 724 for execution by the machine, and includesdigital or analog communications signals or other intangible media tofacilitate communication of such software.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specificexample embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specification anddrawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claimsare hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

The following enumerated embodiments describe various exampleembodiments of a pressing device discussed herein.

A first embodiment provides a pressing device comprising:

a pressing device switch configured to cover a garage door switch, thegarage door switch configured to operate a garage door opener connectedto the garage door switch;

an actuator coupled to the pressing device switch;

an indicator configured to output a combination of an audio and videosignal;

a processor configured to perform operations comprising:

-   -   receiving a garage door control command;    -   generating a warning signal to the indicator, the indicator        configured to output the combination of the audio and video        signal in response to receiving the warning signal; and    -   generating a trigger signal to the actuator, the actuator        configured to physically press on the garage door switch in        response to receiving the trigger signal.

A second embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,wherein the trigger signal is generated after a preset time has elapsedafter the generating of the warning signal.

A third embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,further comprising:

a lever coupled to the actuator with the pressing device switch,

wherein the lever is supported by a fulcrum, a first end of the leveradjacent to the actuator, a second end adjacent to the pressing deviceswitch, the first end being opposite to the second end.

A fourth embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,wherein the first end of the lever is configured to press on the garagedoor switch in response to the actuator pushing against the second endof the lever.

A fifth embodiment provides a device according to the third embodiment,wherein the first end of the lever is configured to press on the garagedoor switch in response to the pressing device switch being pushedagainst the first end of the lever.

A sixth embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,wherein the actuator is disposed between the pressing device switch andthe garage door switch.

A seventh embodiment provides a device according to the sixthembodiment, wherein the operations further comprise:

detecting an operation on the pressing device switch; and

generating the trigger signal to the actuator in response to detectingthe operation on the pressing device switch.

An eighth embodiment provides a device according to the firstembodiment, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with a home control system,

wherein the home control system is not configured to communicatedirectly with the garage door opener,

wherein the pressing device transparently interfaces from the homecontrol system with the garage door opener.

A ninth embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a movement input and duration input;

adjusting a di stance of a movement of an arm of the actuator, the distance corresponding to the movement input; and

adjusting a duration of a pressing of the arm of the actuator, theduration corresponding to the duration input.

A tenth embodiment provides a device according to the first embodiment,wherein the operations further comprise:

detecting a model of the garage door switch;

accessing a configuration setting corresponding to the model of thegarage door switch; and

adjusting a distance of a movement of an arm of the actuator and aduration of a pressing of the arm of the actuator based on theconfiguration setting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pressing device comprising: a pressing deviceswitch configured to cover a garage door switch, the garage door switchconfigured to operate a garage door opener connected to the garage doorswitch; an actuator coupled to the pressing device switch; an indicatorconfigured to output a combination of an audio and video signal; a levercoupled to the actuator with the pressing device switch, the lever beingsupported by a fulcrum, a first end of the lever adjacent to theactuator, a second end adjacent to the pressing device switch, the firstend being opposite to the second end; a processor configured to performoperations comprising: receiving a garage door control command;generating a warning signal to the indicator, the indicator configuredto output the combination of the audio and video signal in response toreceiving the warning signal; and generating a trigger signal to theactuator, the actuator configured to physically press on the garage doorswitch in response to receiving the trigger signal.
 2. The pressingdevice of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is generated after apreset time has elapsed after the generating the warning signal.
 3. Thepressing device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the lever isconfigured to press on the garage door switch in response to theactuator pushing against the second end of the lever.
 4. The pressingdevice of claim 1, wherein the first end of the lever is configured topress on the garage door switch in response to the pressing deviceswitch being pushed against the first end of the lever.
 5. The pressingdevice of claim 1, further comprising: a transceiver configured tocommunicate with a home control system, wherein the home control systemis not configured to communicate directly with the garage door opener,wherein the pressing device transparently interfaces from the homecontrol system with the garage door opener.
 6. The pressing device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a movementinput and duration input; adjusting a distance of a movement of an armof the actuator, the distance corresponding to the movement input; andadjusting a duration of a pressing of the arm of the actuator, theduration corresponding to the duration input.
 7. The pressing device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: detecting a model ofthe garage door switch; accessing a configuration setting correspondingto the model of the garage door switch; and adjusting a distance of amovement of an arm of the actuator and a duration of a pressing of thearm of the actuator based on the configuration setting.
 8. A methodcomprising: receiving a garage door control command at a pressing devicehaving a pressing device switch configured to cover a garage doorswitch, the garage door switch configured to operate a garage dooropener connected to the garage door switch, the pressing devicecomprising a lever coupled to the actuator and the pressing deviceswitch, the lever being supported by a fulcrum, a first end of the leverbeing adjacent to the actuator, a second end being adjacent to thepressing device switch, the first end being opposite to the second end;generating a warning signal to an indicator on the pressing device inresponse to receiving the garage door control command, the indicatorconfigured to output the combination of audio and video signal inresponse to receiving the warning signal; and generating a triggersignal to an actuator of the pressing device, the actuator configured tophysically press on the garage door switch in response to receiving thetrigger signal.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: generatingthe trigger signal after a preset time has elapsed after generating thewarning signal.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first end of thelever is configured to press on the garage door switch in response tothe actuator pushing against the second end of the lever.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein the first end of the lever is configured to press onthe garage door switch in response to the pressing device switch beingpushed against the first end of the lever.
 12. The method of claim 8,further comprising: communicating with a home control system using atransceiver in the pressing device; and interfacing the home controlsystem with the garage door opener using the pressing device, whereinthe home control system is not configured to communicate directly withthe garage door opener.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:receiving a configuration setting including a movement input and aduration input; adjusting a distance of a movement of an arm of theactuator, the distance corresponding to the movement input; andadjusting a duration of a duration of a pressing of the arm of theactuator, the duration corresponding to the duration input.
 14. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set ofinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform operations comprising: receiving a garage door control commandat a pressing device having a pressing device switch configured to covera garage door switch, the garage door switch configured to operate agarage door opener connected to the garage door switch, the pressingdevice comprising a lever coupled to the actuator and the pressingdevice switch, the lever being supported by a fulcrum, a first end ofthe lever being adjacent to the actuator, a second end being adjacent tothe pressing device switch, the first end being opposite to the secondend; generating a warning signal to an indicator on the pressing devicein response to receiving the garage door control command, the indicatorconfigured to output the combination of audio and video signal inresponse to receiving the warning signal; and generating a triggersignal to an actuator of the pressing device, the actuator configured tophysically press on the garage door switch in response to receiving thetrigger signal.